Hi Everyone,

So recently I have noticed a small pool (maybe a little larger then a tennis ball size) of what I think is oil under my 3.0L 2002 edge. It only puddles on the drivers side almost directly under the tire. I am going to put some cardboard under it tonight to confirm, but am almost certain its oil.

Any ideas on where to start looking or what the common culprit might be? Also, any idea on what a shop might charge to fix based on common occurrence? Its still freezing where I am at, so would not be crazy about doing the work on my own right now.

Thanks!

It's possible that the oil filter could be leaking

Thats what I initially thought, but I just had it serviced for an oil change 2 weeks ago, I am almost certain they do the oil filter as well.

He means they didn't snug it up. Or this, had a new GMC pickup 1984. Oil pan started to leak a little. Took it to the dealer for warranty repair. Picked up the next day. Got underneath it once I got home. Leaking way worse than it was. Asked the dealer, "DID YOU CHECK FOR LEAKS?" Had to take it back and get it corrected. Montgomery Ward put the WRONG filter on my 1977 Pontiac and did they check for leaks, no. Could be front seal, or valve cover gaskets. Spray wash it off and the car wash, then get under it and check. Good luck.

Directly under the drivers tire sounds like it could be brake fluid, idk. Pictures might help us help you.

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I think your right... I put a piece of paper out underneath while I was at work this morning and came out.. it was clear.. almost the color of water. Adds up to.. I have add to top off the break fluid once every 3-4 weeks. It must be a small leak... any idea where to start?

Thanks for the help so far everyone!

This is what I was thinking

Start with straight above where you found it. Inspect the flexible line, all unions, caliper, hard line. Make sure the bleeder isn't weeping. Being where it is, there is not much to inspect. I am betting that you also have a spongy brake pedal.

Honestly the brakes have been great. I did them last year and since then I have had to add brake fluid maybe once a month... never noticed the leak hitting the ground until recently though.

Wherever the leak is, it will look wet. Shouldn't have to add brake fluid, that was your big clue.

The area will be wet or damp. You can rinse the area with water then dry it with air or brake clean. then apply pressure to the brakes and look for the leak - hose or steel line.

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It's a closed system, having to add fluid should have been a huge red flag

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2011 Toyota Tundra 5.7 DC 4x4
Ranger free since 4/14/14
1972 bmw 2002tii
1974 Kawasaki mc1m 90

This is FRF....remember

Even the sprinkle SeaDouch in it crowd (seafoam cures everything) and "it's probably the crank position sensor because my dead neighbors son fixed his Ranger back in 1986 by replacing it" types have left.

*OP was looking for "ideas on where to start looking"; I was going to suggest crawling under there with a flashlight and.................looking upwards for a leak source. Then I saw the part about taking it to a shop and besides, asking people to guess what's leaking is like asking what the weather is going to do on March 16th, 2017 at 4:30PM.

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2004 Ranger FX4 Level II, 5R55E, Sonic Blue Pearl

Proudly JAP/RICE free since March 2000

This is an outstanding idea.

Like this?

Not exactly (even though your info is good) and it's still freezing outside, but three minutes of self help via looking goes much further than asking people to make blind guesses. This, on top of the next piece of info, the leak. The part about doing brakes last year but ignoring the matter of having to top off the "break" fluid every 3-4 weeks and now it's cold outside and something is leaking, what could it be and how much will a shop charge to fix it is, um, well, I guess becoming rather common these days. Speaking of, he still needs to know how much a shop will charge to fix it, care to answer?

Honestly, a reasonable person, knowing that there is a problem with the brakes.....wouldn't even drive it until they at least had enough information on the reason for the problem to make a good decision as to how to proceed.

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2004 Ranger FX4 Level II, 5R55E, Sonic Blue Pearl

Proudly JAP/RICE free since March 2000